Soropa Blog

Let’s say you’re tired of those old wood windows, and you
decide it’s time to upgrade to vinyl replacement windows. You
get 2 or 3 contractors to come out and give you an estimate.
After they leave, you can’t believe windows can cost so much. I
mean, having to get financing to replace your windows just
doesn’t seem right. Let me explain to you why the windows are so
expensive. You have to pay the salary of the salesman who comes
over to give you your “free” estimate. Then, you have to pay the
salary of the installers. Finally, you have to pay the owner of
the company. In some cases there is a broker who acts as a
middleman, and he or she gets a cut too. No wonder you need
financing! Now, imagine if you already knew how to shop for
windows, how to measure for new windows, how to remove the old
windows, and how to install the new windows. You just eliminated
everybody except the owner. All of a sudden you can afford to
replace your windows without taking out a loan! The next few
articles are going to cover this process. This article is going
to discuss the proper way to measure for your double hung
replacement windows.

It’s important to properly measure for your windows. If you
order them too small, you’re going to end up having to improvise
in order to get them to work. Even if you do get them to work,
you’re probably going to have problems. And if you order them
too big, you’re really in trouble. Chances are you will be
ordering more windows. So, measuring is very important.
Fortunately, it’s also very simple. We are dealing with old
double hung wood windows here, so if that doesn’t apply to you,
don’t worry. Future articles will discuss other types of
windows. In the case of the wood sash windows, you want to
measure the width first, and height second. When you go shopping
for windows, always give the dimensions as WIDTH X HEIGHT. To
measure your width, you want to pull a tape measure from the top
right corner to the top left corner. Put the tape measure in
that 1 1/2″ pocket where the window frame slides. Measure to the
sixteenth of an inch. Do the same thing at about the midway
point,right above where the window locks. Then, raise the bottom
sash and take the same measurement at the bottom. If you can’t
raise the window for whatever reason, go outside and measure
from there. You will have to remove the screen though.

The majority of the time all three of those measurements will be
the same. If they’re not the same, use the SMALLEST measurement.
Now subtract 1/4″ from that measurement. This is your width for
the new window. The height is a bit tricky. If your window sill
outside slopes downward for water drainage, you have to make
sure that you measure from the HIGHEST Point of the sill. You
want to measure from the top right corner to the bottom right
corner. Put your tape at the top where the upper sash closes. If
the bottom has a 5/8″ high inside wood sill piece to prevent
water from coming inside, you need to raise the bottom sash and
run the tape past the 5/8″ sill and down to the high point of
the sloped sill. Do this in the middle and on the left. Once
again, take the smallest measurement, but this time deduct
3/16″. This is your height. If you order your windows using
these dimensions,they will fit right in, and leave just enough
room to adjust if needed. The final step is to measure the depth
of the pocket where both sashes slide. By depth, I mean from the
point outside where the top sash rests against the outside wood
stop to the point inside where the inside bottom sash rests
against the inside stop. This measurement should be between 3
1/4″- 3 1/2″. The reason you need to know this dimension is
because not all replacement windows have a 3 1/4″ depth frame.
You want a replacement window that’s going to fit right into the
existing pocket of the wood frame. If you purchase a window with
a 2 5/8″ frame depth, you’re going to have approximately 3/4″ to
fill. That means buying new wood stops for the inside of the
house that are 3/4″ wider than the existing stops. Get the 3
1/4″ frames and save yourself a lot of extra work. Now, if
you’re on a really tight budget, the lower grade windows will be
the 2 5/8″ frame, and you will have to get the wider trim. But
that’s something you should weigh in your mind, whether the
money saved on the lesser grade window is worth the extra
expense and time of installing new stops around the inside of
all your windows.

So, now you have the measurements and it’s time to go shopping.
What should you look for to know you’re getting quality windows?
A top quality double hung replacement window will have tilt-in
sashes that allow you to clean the outside glass from inside the
home. All double hung windows have a mechanism that keeps the
window in the open position. The better windows use a state of
the art mechanism known as a constant force balance coil. All
replacement windows will have double glazing, meaning there will
be two panes of glass in each sash separated by a 1/2″-5/8″
spacer material around the edge of the unit. A quality window
will use an intercept spacer or something called a super spacer.
Find out the U-Value of the window. The lower the number, the
better insulating properties. You want a window with a U-Value
under .40. There is a special glass called LowE that will lower
that U-Value number. In fact, most quality windows include LowE
as standard. Those are the main things to ask about when window
shopping.

On the opposite end of the quality spectrum, you can buy an
economical replacement window that will not have the tilt-in
feature. The mechanism that holds the window open will consist
of a block and tackle assembly made up of a spring and string.
Another mechanism in lower quality windows is called a spiral
tube balance. These lesser grade assemblies are notorious for
failing after 5-10 years. The spacer material used on lower
quality windows will be aluminum or something called swiggle
seal. And many times the U-Value of these lower grade windows
will be up around .50. The thing to remember is that a window
that uses a super spacer more than likely isnt going to use a
block and tackle balance system. It would be like buying a new
car with leather interior and no power window and door locks.
Follow those guidelines and you will have a good idea what
quality you are buying. Once you make the decision and purchase
your windows, it’s time to get them home and take out your old
windows. Next week I will tell you how to remove the old wood
windows..

John Rocco has been installing replacement windows since 1978.
To learn more, visit How To Install
Windows

Laminated wood flooring is the hottest floor-covering product in America. Created in Europe, the product has now been in use for over 20 years. Laminated wood flooring is an interlocking system that is installed on top of an existing substrate. This type of laminated wood flooring has been used in the renovation of older buildings throughout Europe.

This floating laminate installation can be used on any hard, flat surface and is easy enough to be a do-it-yourself application. “Floating” as used here means that the new floor is not attached to the floor underneath and the joints are glued together.

Choices of laminated flooring

A water-resistant glue is recommended by most laminate flooring brands. The glue is used on every plank, between the tongue and grooves. The amount of glue used varies by brand. Pergo laminated wood flooring requires enough glue to completely fill the groove; the excess is squeezed out when the tongue and groove are interlocked. This particular laminated brand has a unique PerCore base layer that soaks up the glue.

Pickering brand laminate flooring, meanwhile, requires only a 1/6-inch drop of glue on the groove. Formica flooring requires a 1/8-inch bead in two places on the groove or tongue. All of these laminated flooring brands give you the same results, with different installation methods - Alloc flooring has a patented system that doesn’t require any glue.

Laminate flooring has four main elements that are bonded together. First, a durable, decorative surface made of resin-based melamine/aluminum oxide is affixed to a moisture-resistant wood core. A backing is then added to the core’s bottom side. On top is an aluminum oxide layer, providing stain resistance.

By using existing counter-top practices and adding more protection to the top layer, laminates have evolved into the perfect floor covering. Some manufacturers say their laminate floors are as much as 20 times harder than any laminate counter tops, thanks to a dense, resin-filled wear layer that’s resistant to stains, scratches and even cigarette burns.

The most common styles of laminate wood flooring have a wood-grain appearance. But some manufacturers offer laminate flooring in realistic stone and marble patterns. Laminate floors are produced as long, rectangular planks, usually around four feet long and 8 inches wide. Some manufacturers offer square tiles and double wide planks, as well.

Hannah Roberts has an interest in Shopping & Retail related topics. To access more information on flooring laminate store or on laminate wood flooring, please click on the links.

Vinyl siding is essentially derived from Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is the best of all siding materials in most aspects. It enhances the appearance of home, ensures protection, and increases the resale value. One of the most important features is that it is cost-effective, and even the superior qualities are relatively inexpensive.

At the time of introduction, vinyl siding was priced very high. However, the generation of improved technologies and components has served to decrease the purchase cost. Though the installation of vinyl siding is an expensive procedure compared to other siding materials, the primary advantage lies in the fact that it is a one-time investment. Unlike other materials, especially wood, it does not need constant maintenance. Hence, it serves to cut down the expenditures associated with repairs.

The advantages of vinyl siding include protection and resistance to moisture, acid rain, extreme weather conditions, and prolonged exposure to sunlight. It can be cleaned by the simple procedure of washing with soap and water and lasts for years without requiring a replacement. Considering its distinct features and benefits, vinyl siding is a popular choice for homeowners to clad the exterior surface of their homes.

There are several styles and models of vinyl siding available in the market. The prices vary depending on the type, availability, and market conditions. A recent study compared the initial installation cost and a twenty-year maintenance cost of vinyl siding to that of brick, aluminum, and wood siding. The results demonstrated that the cost incurred by the installation of vinyl siding is just half of the other materials, in addition to saving nearly 60% of the total cost for a specified area. The purchase cost for vinyl siding can range from as low as $4 per square feet. However, the deciding factor is the quality and thickness of the siding chosen and the area required to be covered.

Taking into account the wide range of benefits, there is little doubt that vinyl siding will emerge a market leader in the future.